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An American icon Launched out of a converted garage by Harold Mattson and Elliot Handler in 1945, the company began to achieve prominence in the wake of its sponsorship of Walt Disney's "Mickey Mouse Club" in 1955. With the introduction of the Barbie doll in 1959, Mattel became the hottest toy maker in the country. Mattel's money managers calculate that the doll is a legendary success. Her sales accounted for an astounding $1.8 billion of Mattel's total 1999 revenue. On the other side of the gender equation, Mattel claims that "41 million men in the world" raced the company's Hot Wheels as boys. TKTK failures In the 1980s Mattel faltered as the "Master of the Universe," with cumbersome overhead and high-priced production. While things got better for awhile in the 1990s - Barbie's popularity zoomed in the middle of the decade, meaning that the gravy train had once again stopped for Mattel - Mattel took a turn for the worse by the new millenium. In February 2000, CEO Jill Barad resigned amidst plummeting revenues after a series of dubious business decisions. The purchase of The Learning Company for $3.5 billion in 1999 - just as stores like Toys "R" Us were reducing their inventories - was just one reason why Mattel's board of directors requested Barad's resignation. The $3.5 billion acquisition resulted in a $200 million loss for Mattel, and the company is looking to sell TLC off for $500 million to $1 billion. You can't stay a kid forever Mattel's growth-by-acquisition strategy has long been a hallmark of the company. In 1991, it purchased Aviva Sport, a California-based manufacturer of toys and sporting equipment. In 1996, it expanded its reach with rights to Walt Disney television and film creations. Mattel's pattern for growth had been simple: it acquires companies that will add to its product line; then it immediately downsizes to eliminate replication of services. These tactics have led to some unhappy ex-employees. When Mattel acquired Fisher-Price in 1997, it laid off 1000 employees right before Christmas. After the company's $755 million purchase of Tyco Toys, another 2700 people received pink slips. Wanted: more brains, less bosom After decades of blonde infatuation, the company has seized upon a more wholesome and educational image. For a ripe $700 million, Mattel bought the American Girls Collection, a reputable line of historical dolls and accessories, from Pleasant Company. The line, a marked departure from Bathing Barbie and her blue-eyed boyfriend Ken, emphasizes the achievements of a variety of historical women. It furthermore fosters pride in the concept of growing up female in America. Pleasant Rowland, the former owner of the Pleasant Co., admits that the combination of companies is a bit incongruous: "Every single one of us knew that the very idea of American Girls living in Barbie's dream house would horrify," she announced at a rally. Horrified or not, Ms. Rowland sealed the deal. Mattel fully acquired the Pleasant Co. in June 1998. On a philanthropic note, the Mattel Children's Foundation, the company's altruistic arm, has been supporting mostly children's charities with generous gifts - for example, in 1998, Mattel pledged $25 million to the UCLA Children's Hospital, to be disseminated over the course of several years. Restructuring and rehabilitation In September 1998, Toys "R" Us, Mattel's largest retail customer, experienced restructuring efforts that adversely affected Mattel's quarterly earnings. Mattel announced that Toys "R" Us' merchandise cutbacks caused its revenues to decline by 10 percent, or $200 million. Toys "R" Us accounts for roughly one-fifth of all Mattel sales. Also withering: Barbie sales. Worldwide, the purchases of the plastic damsel dropped by 15 percent in 1998. Fortunately, the Barbie decline was partly offset by the the improved sales performance of Hot Wheels, Matchbox cars, and preschool products. Mattel's earnings rose and fell throughout 1999, and they ended the year on a sour note, with over $18 million in losses. By February 2000, the troubled company had also lost CEO Barad, formerly one of the most powerful women in corporate America. New CEO Robert Eckert left that post at Kraft and will strengthen core brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels, as well as introduce new products based on the "Harry Potter" book series.
Mattel accepts resumes by mail or online at www.mattel.com. Because resumes are scanned into the system and made available to all departments at Mattel, scanner-friendly resumes are a must.
Some complaints; generally high marks Despite "weak" or "non-existent" training programs, occasionally long hours, and a "somewhat high" turnover rate," employees are generally "very satisfied" with the working conditions at Mattel. Factors such as "strong camaraderie," the "fast-paced and high energy" environment, and "a strong company focus on family" contribute to the high marks. "Most of the managers are pretty good at being flexible to allow for personal needs or growth development," says one insider. "Classes and special training" are also offered, says another. Mattel does have "some of the best benefits in the industry" and was recently noted as one of the 100 best companies to work for by Working Mother magazine. The firm offers childcare and a fitness club. Hours are "a bit special - we work between 9 to 12 hours Monday through Thursday and there is a half day on Friday." Forging through the suit culture, Mattel is "business casual" every day. Good for marketers "Marketing has a great deal of influence in Mattel" and the marketing department is one of the most powerful sectors of the corporation. Perks for marketing employees include "trips to the Toy Fair" and the "fantastic view" from the windows of the Los Angeles office. Moreover, the company is "very fast paced" and "provides a lot of opportunities for personal growth." As one fired-up insider proclaims, "I get to work with toys all day and I get paid!" Employees unanimously declare that Mattel has "excellent" receptivity to women; one worker describes it as "unparalleled in corporate America." With a female CEO and numerous top executive slots filled by women, the company known for Barbie has, ironically enough, shattered the glass ceiling. "As with any large company there are always politics," but at Mattel many employees admit there is "no better place to work."
Attn: Corporate Staffing Mattel, Inc. Mail Stop M1-02101 333 Continental Boulevard El Segundo CA 90245
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